Organisation and provision of head and neck cancer surgical services in the United Kingdom: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.

F Stafford,K Fell,M Fardy,K Ah-See

doi:10.1017/s0022215116000839

Abstract

This is the official guideline endorsed by the surgical specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. This paper summarises the current state of play in the organisation and provision of head and neck cancer surgical services in the UK.

Highlights

The quality and availability of care for patients with head and neck cancer has improved immeasurably over the past 30 years
Over the past 10 years many providers in England have moved towards some forms of centralisation model in response to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) improving outcomes guidance (IOG) for head and neck cancers, this is not universal
Summary Complex head and neck surgery has been commissioned as a specialised service by National Health Service (NHS) England

Summary

Introduction

Introduction The quality and availability of care for patients with head and neck cancer has improved immeasurably over the past 30 years. This structure is currently under review and many of the designated specialised services may have commissioning devolved to the CCGs. The NHS England website defines specialised services as those provided in relatively few hospitals, accessed by comparatively small numbers of patients but with catchment populations of usually more than 1 million.

Results

Conclusion